Signalling the latest innovation in higher education, Curtin University today announced a MicroMasters program in Human Rights, designed to advance career opportunities and offer a path to an accelerated masters program.
MicroMasters is delivered under the edX online learning platform founded by Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Students verifying, completing and passing all courses in a MicroMasters program receive an edX MicroMasters credential, which can count towards a master degree credit if the learner applies to the university offering the credential and is accepted.
Curtin University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Deborah Terry said Curtin had joined forces with other leading international institutions to launch the MicroMasters programs as part of the University’s collaboration with edX.
“The concept of MicroMasters is a significant step forward given that the program reflects the type of option that will increasingly attract students keen to upgrade their skills and qualifications in a rapidly changing labour market,” Professor Terry said.
The MicroMasters in Human Rights program will be run through Curtin’s Centre for Human Rights Education (CHRE) and will develop students’ understanding of human rights ideas and practices at local, national and international levels.
CHRE Acting Director Dr Caroline Fleay said the MicroMasters in Human Rights provides an entry pathway into the Master of Human Rights degree program at Curtin, which could be studied on campus or fully online.
“Gaining an awareness of contemporary issues in human rights will benefit anyone wanting to begin or advance their career across a broad range of professions such as education, health, law, social work and development work,” Dr Fleay said.
Curtin is also collaborating with MIT on a MicroMasters credential in Supply Chain Management, to provide new options for online learners around the globe.
Other Australian universities involved in offering MicroMasters programs include the Australian National University and The University of Queensland.
Curtin is the only university in Western Australia in the edX Consortium.
The Curtin MicroMasters in Human Rights commences in January 2017 and participants can complete the course within 12 months.
Learners must complete three online units to earn a MicroMasters in Human Rights certificate, and to receive a credit for the Master of Human Rights.
Entry to the Master of Human Rights degree program is subject to Curtin’s entry requirements and students must also complete and successfully pass a pre-entry assessment task.
For more information and to register, visit curtin.edu/micromasters.
More information about Curtin’s Centre for Human Rights Education can be found at humanrights.curtin.edu.au.
